False Albacore - September through November

Back in the 1990's, the Cape Lookout and Harker's Island area was made famous by a little tuna called the False Albacore.  These "Albies" have all the requirements needed to put them on the top of the list as a premier SW target.  For one thing, they love to hunt in packs from a dozen to several hundred, destroying every baitfish on their radar.  They put on a spectacular feeding show, turning the surface of the ocean into a boil, attracting flocks of seagulls who scavenge leftover bits of bait.  When hooked, they take off at speeds upwards of 40mph burning about a hundred yards of line off your reel in a few seconds.  When you get them back in close, they usually get a second wind and make another run.  Best of all, if you can match the hatch, they will readily inhale a small baitfish pattern on a fly rod or a jig on a medium action spinning rod.